Hockey

Flyers agree with defenseman Jamie Drysdale on a 4-year, $26 million deal

The Associated Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 4:39 PM CDT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Flyers have agreed to terms with defenseman Jamie Drysdale on a four-year contract worth $26 million.

Drysdale will count $6.5 million against the salary cap through the 2029-30 NHL season.

“We’re excited to have Jamie remain a key part of our organization for years to come,” Flyers general manager Daniel Briere said in a statement on Friday. “Since we acquired him, Jamie has worked extremely hard and taken big steps in his development, and has established himself as a reliable piece on our back end with the ability to impact the game in all situations. We believe his best hockey is still ahead of him, and he’s going to play an important role in strengthening our blue line as we continue to build.”

The 24-year-old Drysdale had a career-high eight goals, including three game-winners, and matched his career best with 32 points in his second full season with Philadelphia. He averaged more than 21 minutes of ice time over 78 regular-season games to help the Flyers make the playoffs.

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Hockey

Pantelas thankful for time in Brandon

Perry Bergson 7 minute read Preview

Pantelas thankful for time in Brandon

Perry Bergson 7 minute read Thursday, Jul. 16, 2026

While Gio Pantelas decided he wanted to spend his final Western Hockey League season closer to family with the Penticton Vees, that doesn’t in any way diminish his time with the Brandon Wheat Kings.

The 18-year-old defenceman from Victoria, who was dealt on Wednesday to British Columbia so he could live with his mother and younger brother, said it was still an agonizing decision to ask for a trade.

“I had an amazing two years there,” Pantelas said. “I just want to get that out there. I’m so grateful for everything that Brandon has done for me, not only the Wheat Kings but the community as a whole. Being able to spend every day was just amazing. I would never take any of those days back.

“That was the whole reason for the decision, just being closer to home. Being out in Brandon, especially living in Victoria, it’s a long ways away. I spent two long, fun years there but I was getting a little homesick and missing my parents quite a bit.”

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Thursday, Jul. 16, 2026

Hockey

Montreal Canadiens' Kirby Dach (77) celebrates his goal during third period second round, Game 3, NHL playoff action against the Buffalo Sabres, in Montreal on Sunday, May 10, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

Canadiens sign centre Kirby Dach to one-year, $3.6 million contract

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Canadiens sign centre Kirby Dach to one-year, $3.6 million contract

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Thursday, Jul. 16, 2026

MONTREAL - The Montreal Canadiens have re-signed forward Kirby Dach to a one-year, one-way contract worth US$3.6 million, the NHL club announced Thursday.

Dach was a restricted free agent after last season. A salary arbitration hearing had been scheduled for July 30 after the Canadiens tendered a one-year qualifying offer worth $4 million that was reportedly a two-way contract.

The 25-year-old from Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., had eight goals and seven assists in 37 games with the Canadiens last season.

Dach added four goals and an assist in 19 playoff games as Montreal advanced to the Eastern Conference final.

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Thursday, Jul. 16, 2026

Hockey

Longtime defenceman Edler returns to Canucks in development role

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Longtime defenceman Edler returns to Canucks in development role

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Thursday, Jul. 16, 2026

VANCOUVER - Alex Edler, a steady member of the Vancouver Canucks' defence for 15 seasons during his playing career, is joining the NHL team’s player development department.

Canucks general manager Ryan Johnson announced the move Thursday and said Edler will work closely with prospects throughout the organization

Edler participated in the team’s recent Development Camp in Abbotsford, B.C.

Edler was drafted 91st overall by Vancouver in 2004 and had 99 goals and 310 assists over 925 games with the club.

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Thursday, Jul. 16, 2026

Hockey

Defenceman Gio Pantelas of Victoria wanted to play closer to home and requested a trade to the Penticton Vees, so the Brandon Wheat Kings honoured his request in a deal announced on Wednesday. His younger brother is playing prep hockey in Penticton. (Perry Bergson/The Brandon Sun)

Wheat Kings send Pantelas to Vees

By Perry Bergson 7 minute read Preview

Wheat Kings send Pantelas to Vees

By Perry Bergson 7 minute read Thursday, Jul. 16, 2026

After Gio Pantelas handed the Brandon Wheat Kings a giant lemon last week, the team was able to make some lemonade.

The 18-year-old defenceman from Victoria told the club he was heading to college unless he was traded to the Penticton Vees, the British Columbia community where his mother and brother live as the younger Pantelas attends prep school.

Murray was able to get a deal done with Vees general manager Fred Harbinson, acquiring a first-round pick in 2029, a third-round pick in 2028, the rights to 2010-born American forward Carter Morris and a conditional first-round pick in 2030 if Pantelas plays in the Western Hockey League in his 19-year-old season.

“It was really tough,” Brandon head coach and general manager Marty Murray said. “Penticton knows that so you don’t have a lot of leverage. Our first priority was to have Gio be a Wheat King, the second one was to try to replace him with a player right away that could fill in but Penticton, with the couple of guys we asked about, it was a no, they would keep what they have.

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Thursday, Jul. 16, 2026

Hockey

Flyers lock up Trevor Zegras with a 4-year deal worth $9.125M per year

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Flyers lock up Trevor Zegras with a 4-year deal worth $9.125M per year

The Associated Press 2 minute read Wednesday, Jul. 15, 2026

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Flyers have reached a four-year contract agreement with forward Trevor Zegras with an average annual value of $9.125 million, the team announced on Wednesday night.

The 25-year-old Zegras had a career-high 26 goals and 67 points last season, the second-most on the team. He added two more goals and four assists in the playoffs.

“We’re thrilled to have Trevor committed to our organization for the next four years,” general manager Danny Briere said in a statement. “The growth he showed this past season, proving that he is the skilled player he entered the league as, reinforced our belief that he will be an impact player for the Flyers for the years to come."

Selected ninth overall by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2019 NHL draft, the 6-foot, 185-pound Boston University product has played in 349 career NHL games, and has 93 goals and 160 assists for 253 points. He has 60-plus point seasons in three of his six seasons in the league.

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Wednesday, Jul. 15, 2026

Hockey

Jets re-sign Cole Perfetti to five-year contract worth $30 million

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Jets re-sign Cole Perfetti to five-year contract worth $30 million

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Wednesday, Jul. 15, 2026

WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Jets have re-signed Cole Perfetti to a five-year contract with an average annual value of US$6 million, the NHL team announced Wednesday.

The 24-year-old forward had 32 points (12 goals, 20 assists) and 20 penalty minutes in 68 games for the Jets last season.

The Whitby, Ont., native set a career high with 15 minutes 37 seconds of ice time per game.

Perfetti, the Jets’ first-round pick (10th overall) in the 2020 NHL draft, set career highs with 50 points and 32 assists in 82 games in 2024-25 as Winnipeg won the Presidents' Trophy with the best regular-season record.

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Wednesday, Jul. 15, 2026

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Hockey

Dave Nonis, centre, senior vice-president and GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs, watches a team practice with Brandon Pridham (left) and Kyle Dubas following the firing of head coach Randy Carlyle in Toronto on Tuesday, January 6, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

Penguins hire former Leafs executive Brandon Pridham to front office

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Penguins hire former Leafs executive Brandon Pridham to front office

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Wednesday, Jul. 15, 2026

PITTSBURGH - The Penguins added Brandon Pridham to their front office, reuniting him with Pittsburgh president of hockey operations and general manager Kyle Dubas.

The Penguins announced Wednesday that Pridham is joining the team as a hockey operations consultant, with duties that include overseeing player contract negotiations and managing the team's salary cap.

Pridham spent the last 12 years with the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he had been an assistant general manager since 2018.

He was one of several front office staff members, along with assistant GM Hayley Wickenheiser, recently fired by new Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka.

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Wednesday, Jul. 15, 2026

Hockey

Montréal Canadiens left wing Alexandre Texier (85) scores the game winning goal on Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Dennis Hildeby (35) during shootout NHL hockey action in Toronto on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Canadiens-Maple Leafs, Canucks-Oilers to play on opening night of NHL season

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Canadiens-Maple Leafs, Canucks-Oilers to play on opening night of NHL season

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Wednesday, Jul. 15, 2026

NEW YORK - The 2026-27 NHL season is set to begin Sept. 29 with a pair of all-Canadian matchups.

The Montreal Canadiens will visit the Toronto Maple Leafs, with the Edmonton Oilers later hosting the Vancouver Canucks.

Both games will be on Sportsnet, under a newly branded broadcast. The company's sublicensing deal with the CBC for Hockey Night in Canada was not renewed.

The other Canadian home openers see the Calgary Flames host Seattle on Oct. 1, followed by the Canucks against Edmonton later that day. The Winnipeg Jets host Boston on Oct. 2, the Montreal Canadiens welcome Carolina on Oct. 6, and the Ottawa Senators face Philadelphia on Oct. 8.

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Wednesday, Jul. 15, 2026

Hockey

New Jersey Devils sign winger Anthony Mantha to a 2-year, $9.5 million contract

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

New Jersey Devils sign winger Anthony Mantha to a 2-year, $9.5 million contract

The Associated Press 2 minute read Wednesday, Jul. 15, 2026

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — The New Jersey Devils signed winger Anthony Mantha to a two-year, $9.5 million contract, the team announced Wednesday.

He will count $4.75 million against the salary cap through 2027-28. The Quebec native is coming off a breakout season with Pittsburgh in which he set career highs with 33 goals, 31 assists and 64 points.

Mantha, who turns 32, in September is nearly two years removed from tearing the ACL in his right knee and beginning a lengthy rehab process. He joins the Devils as new general manager Sunny Mehta’s latest addition to bolster the roster after missing the playoffs.

Mehta earlier this month hinted that he was not done his offseason makeover after trading goaltender Jacob Markstrom to Florida for Evan Rodrigues and Jesper Boqvist. After signing journeyman David Rittich to compete with Nico Daws for the backup goalie job, the signing of Mantha takes one of the final remaining high-profile free agents off the board long after most teams did their spending on July 1.

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Wednesday, Jul. 15, 2026

Hockey

Steve Yzerman abruptly steps down as general manager of the Detroit Red Wings

Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Steve Yzerman abruptly steps down as general manager of the Detroit Red Wings

Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press 3 minute read Wednesday, Jul. 15, 2026

Steve Yzerman abruptly stepped down as general manager of the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday, a stunning midsummer change by a franchise great leaving the job after seven seasons and zero playoff appearances.

Yzerman’s transition to an advisory role to owner and CEO Chris Ilitch comes several weeks after captain and No. 1 center Dylan Larkin’s trade request came to light. The Red Wings' decade-long playoff drought is the longest in the storied history of the organization and the longest active drought in the NHL.

The team said its search for a new head of hockey operations has begun and that Yzerman will continue to be in charge on a day-to-day basis until his successor is determined.

“Clearly, we are not where we and our fans expect to be as an organization,” Ilitch said in a statement. “Steve’s lifetime of contributions to the Red Wings has meant more to this franchise than words can truly express, and I have the highest level of respect for his continued commitment to our organization.”

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Wednesday, Jul. 15, 2026

Hockey

U17 camp roster includes local flavour

1 minute read Tuesday, Jul. 14, 2026

Brandon Wheat Kings prospects Cruz Jim and Ahmad Fayad, Everett Silvertips prospect Reid Nicol of Brandon and Prince Albert Raiders prospect Athens Shingoose of Waywayseecappo are among 80 players invited to Hockey Canada’s U17 World Hockey Challenge development camp.

The five-day event, which takes place in Oakville, Ont., begins on Friday and includes eight goaltenders, 24 defencemen and 48 forwards. Twenty-nine come Western Hockey League teams, 31 from the Ontario Hockey League and 20 from the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League.

The camp introduces player to Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence and also serves as an evaluation tool for the U17 World Challenge from Nov. 1 to 7 in Oakville. Last year, 44 players skated with Canada Red and Canada White.

» The Brandon Sun

Hockey

Ruzicka signs with Minnesota Wild

1 minute read Tuesday, Jul. 14, 2026

Brandon Wheat Kings netminder Filip Ruzicka signed an entry-level contact with the National Hockey League’s Minnesota Wild on Tuesday.

The 18-year-old product of Trinec, Czechia, was taken in the fifth round (137 overall) in the most recent draft.

Last season with Brandon, the six-foot-eight, 229-pound goaltender made 42 appearances, compiling a 3.19 goals-against average, .906 save percentage, 26-14-1 record and two shutouts.

The three-year contract is worth $987,500 per season against the cap, with $850,000 in an NHL salary, an $87,500 signing bonus and $87,500 per year if he’s playing gin the minors.

Hockey

Braden Schneider re-signs in New York

1 minute read Monday, Jul. 13, 2026

Former Brandon Wheat Kings captain Braden Schneider is heading back to New York next season.

The 24-year-old defenceman from Prince Albert, Sask., signed a one-year deal with the Rangers, the team announced Monday.

The six-foot-three, 206-pound Schneider had two goals, 16 assists and 26 penalty minutes in 82 games last season, and led the Rangers in blocked shots (140) and was third in hits (163). Only three players in the NHL last season had at least 160 hits and 140 blocks.

In 368 games over parts of five seasons with the Rangers, he has 20 goals, 67 assists, 85 penalty minutes and a plus-17 rating while missing just five games.

Hockey

Jets sign first-round pick Viggo Bjorck to three-year, entry-level deal

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Jets sign first-round pick Viggo Bjorck to three-year, entry-level deal

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Monday, Jul. 13, 2026

WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Jets have signed first-round pick Viggo Bjorck to a three-year, entry-level contract, the NHL team announced Monday.

The contract has average annual value of US$1.075 million.

Bjorck was the eighth overall pick in June's draft.

He was coming off a 15-point season (six goals, nine assists) for Djurgardens of the Swedish Hockey League.

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Monday, Jul. 13, 2026

Hockey

Anaheim Ducks' Jackson LaCombe (2) defends against Edmonton Oilers' Colton Dach (34) during second period first round Game 5 NHL playoff action in Edmonton on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Codie McLachlan

Oilers sign forward Colton Dach to two-year, $2.4-million extension

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Oilers sign forward Colton Dach to two-year, $2.4-million extension

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Sunday, Jul. 12, 2026

EDMONTON - The Edmonton Oilers have signed forward Colton Dach to a two-year contract extension with an average annual value of US$1.2 million, the NHL club announced Sunday.

Dach, who Edmonton acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks at the 2026 trade deadline, had five goals and eight assists in 61 games last season.

The 23-year-old forward made his Edmonton debut on March 6 and had two goals and two assists in eight regular-season games for the Oilers.

He added an assist in five playoff games.

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Sunday, Jul. 12, 2026

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